Beyond - Legends The Deep Wounds that Never Heal.(J/TK post war angst fic) Post # 37 February 13th

which is how it should be.

 

Aeryn sat on her bunk at the Academy, knees drawn to her chest, staring at her unlighted room.I have no daughter. Her mother?s voice echoed. There was a knock at the door. She ignored it. The door opened. Karl. The shaggy haired boy came into the room.


?Aeryn?? he asked. She ignored his presence.
?I talked to Master Solo. He said he?d deal with your situation.? Silence. ?Do you hear me?? Karl asked. She did not respond. Karl sighed and disappeared. The next thing Aeryn knew, a very cold bucket of water had washed over her. This time she reacted.

?Karl!? she shreiked.

?Stop ignoring me! I?m trying to help, I?m trying to be a good friend.? Karl said. Aeryn blinked. Friend? After the way I treat him? And he considers me a friend? Her anger pushed to the forefront.

?I?m wet ? she yelled.

?Yeah, I know, I dumped a bucket of ice water on you.? Karl said.

?Why ?? she demanded.

?Because it was freaking me out You?re the closest thing I have to a friend ? Karl said.
Aeryn almost let herself be side tracked again. There he goes with that friend business.

?I?m not your friend.? she hissed. ?I have no friends. I do not know why you would want to associate with me.? she said bitterly. Karl gulped and looked embarassed.

?. . . Beggers can?t be choosers.? Karl said. Aeryn blinked what did that mean. ?No one wanted me around them, and even if you didn?t either, you at least acknowledged that I existed. Everyone else ignored me.?


Karl sat directly in front of her. Everyone else was talking amongst themselves. No one sat within ten feet of Karl except her, and only because she liked the spot she sat in. Karl sat there so Master Zekk knew where he was every day. Karl looked at the whole of the Academy openly oscticizing him, and slumped lower in his chair. His slumping back bumped Aeryn?s foot. She kicked him.

?Don?t touch me Dunce!? she hissed. A few minutes later Karl stretched this time his fist bumped her knee.

?Cut it out!? she half yelled, thumping the boy on the head. She was not aware that in these two statements, she had said more to Karl than anyone their age had in the last year.




?Karl!? Zekk protested when the stink bomb went off. Karl grinned and laughed at everyone in the damage path. Aeryn glared.
?You will pay for that Dunce ? she screamed and chased Karl. No one else bothered.



Her personal crisis momentarily forgotten, Aeryn actually found herself feeling sympathy for the boy. To be so starve for interaction . . . that he would pick fights with me... Aeryn lowered her gaze.

?I?m have been very cruel to you Karl.? she said. ?I treated you no differently than the rest of the students.? she said. Karl nodded.

?Yeah, but I never gave them reason to.? he said. ?You left me alone unless I bothered you. You didn?t hate me until I gave you reason to.? Karl said. Aeryn blinked.

?I don?t hate you Karl. If anything I pity you.? she said truthfully. Karl shifted looking hurt. Then angry.

?That?s not funny!? he said. Aeryn kept smiling.

?Why are you smiling??

?I gave you reason to be angry with me.? she said. Karl gaped. A cough interupted them. Both startled teens looked tot he source of the noise. Master Solo. The tall man came out of the shadows.

?Now that Aeryn is no longer wallowing in self pity, and Karl no longer riding the tall white Bantha, lets do something constructive.? Jacen said. Jacen handed them each a datapad filled with information.

?These datapads hold the training regimen I have drawn up for you. Do not bother looking at each other?s, these are very personalized. Aeryn, thus far your combat skills have been overly focused on lightsaber training, and while you have the best theoretical sword skills, you other combat abilities are very lacking. You will be focusing heavily on conditioning, and Master Ti will give you a crash course in hand to hand combat.?

?Why aren?t you doing it?? Karl demanded. ?You are our master ? he said. Jacen nodded.

?That is true Karl, but by virute of the simple f

 

good update LeatherNeck, I really liked the part with Jacen, Aeryn, and Karl.

The part with TK and Jart was good too,

TnTornado

 

Thanks

 

The information on Aeryn?s datapad had given her routines she was expected to follow before her first meeting with Master Ti. She started the morning with a five K, followed by an hour of squats, an hour of push ups, and on final hour of sit ups. After this three hour and twenty minute workout she had one hour to rest before her assigned two hours with Master Ti. By the time she reached the sparring center, she was completely exuashted.

?Hello Aeryn.? the fifty year old woman said in greeting. Aeryn managed to assume the proper stance and bow.

?Good Morning Master Ti.? Aeryn said.

?You seem exuashted Aeryn.? Master Ti observed. Aeryn said nothing. Master Ti straightened.

?Very well, let us begin. Your master has assigned you to me, because, you are short, and you
are female.? Kirana Ti said. Aeryn ground her teeth slightly. The older Woman smirked at the
girl?s anger.

?Do not allow emotion to cloud judgement, it is a statement of fact, you are short, it is no
fault or blessing of your making. Though there are some serious disadvantages of being so
diminutive.? Master Ti said. Aeryn glare stayed. She is trying to anger me. Aeryn thought.
She?s doing a good job.

?A person of your size cannot break above the 80th percentile of high power blows. An outright
death blow is almost out of the question for you. To kill with a single strike requires one of
two things, preferably both. Strength, which you will most likely never have, where Master
Solo, Zekk and Master Lowbacca could all kill a human male with ease. At this point you would
only be able to wound, grievously wound, but not fatally.? Master Ti said. ?The other part is
speed, that you may be able to achieve. That will be our focus.? Kirana Ti said. Aeryn nodded.

?If you are ready then begin. Your goal is to land a blow here.? Kirana Ti said, placing a
hand just above her right breast. Aeryn focused in on the target area and sprang at the older
woman. Only to meet a hard fist to the face. The force of the blow whipped her legs out from
under her and she land on her chest, legs still in the air until gravity claimed them.

?I did not say I would not defend myself.? Master Ti said.







?Karl.? Jacen said when the boy came into the clearing in the jungle that he had told Karl(on the datapad which still was meaningless symbols to Karl, but he could now recognize his own name.) To meet him. Karl nodded at the Tall dark haired man.

?Master Solo.? Karl said. Jacen pulled objects from a bag and said.

?Catch.? he said. Karl reached out expecting to easily catch the object. But the object had
much more mass than he expected, and it collided painfully into his chest.

?Opf!? Karl grunted. ?Master these weigh a ton!? Jacen shook his head.

?Collectively they weigh only twenty kilos.? Jacen said. ?They weigh Five Kilos each. Put each
of the weights on each limb, at the ankles and at the wrists. Be sure to adjust them so they do not move when you do, or constrict blood flow. When Karl had complied, Jacen said.

?Run.? Karl stared dumbly.

?Run where?? he asked. Jacen smirked.

?To where you completed the teamwork test, and back.? Jacen said. Karl didn?t move, just gaped at Jacen.

?You are being timed. You are to remove those weights under no circumstances. Disobey me and
you will repeat this task with me riding on your back.? Jacen said, seeming to take sadistic
pleasure is Karl?s misfortune. Karl finally left, running awkwardly under the weight. Jacen
watched the boy. He did not even question why. He may be foolish and clumsy, but his
dedication cannot be matched. Jacen thought.




?Thus far, your training has been focused on countering force use, which is useful. But the vast Majority of foes you will face as a Jedi, will not have Force sensitivity. There for we shall work on your Force skills.? Tenel Ka told Jart. Jart nodded.

?Since negating force use is a technique of area instead of a focused attack, your control is not quite as precise as I would like to see before I teach you

 

More and more I'm loving the flashbacks, and how they tie into the current events. I can't really explain it, but its very well done.

Great job, Awesome work your doing here.

TnTornado

 

Thats why people are not allowed into the army at 16, even if they are physically mature. There is a lot of mental and emotional developement in the late teens. Especially for boys.

 

I can't explain it either, but it works.


I don;t care about the army, they're just canon fodder.

 

and if they'd had any brains at all they would have gone into another branch of the service eh?!

 

It may be crass and insensitive, but this is an inter-service thing. Marines are tough, tougher than everyone. We're not sky fairies, dumb grunts, or swabbies. It may seem childish, but it helps a little when you know you are better than everyone else, makes you feel like super man, until they start killing other Marines that is. And quite frankly, I've seen what an RPG round does to the human body, so I think I'm entitles to be crass and insensitive every so often. Just remember, the last thing we ever wanted was pity.

 

Tenel Ka awoke that night to find Jacen, twitching and breathing hard. His hands and feet, even his limbs twitched like a sleeping nek. She sat up and shook him awake. Jacen awoke the second she touched him. He sat up and stared at her. Then he laid back down and turned away from her.

?Which battle was it?? she asked. Jacen stilled and then looked back over his shoulder, seeing a calm and merely curious face, he said.

?Ylesia.? Jacen said. Tenel Ka?s lips compressed. Ylesia had been home to the Defectors Division. Which Jacen had annihilated to the last man, his own cousin(once removed) Thracken, whom would later be executed after being found guilty of treason by military court, a court on which Tenel Ka had been part of the tribunal. Jacen?s handling of the few survivng prisoners had been decried by some, but that was not the reason Jacen found Ylesia to be a painful subject. On that planet, there had been no Vong. Every person killed there was felt by Jacen.


Tenel Ka commed the door to Jacen?s quarters.

?Come.? The youngest General in the Republic Army said.

?Jacen.? Tenel Ka said when she came in. Jacen?s hair was still short, shaved bald as regulations required. Only with this hairstlye were two vicious scars on the right side of his head visible. Bacta had been scarse, and the wounds had been closed with sutures. Leaving the nasty crisscrosing scars. He had a fresh cut across his right eye, but with treatments aboard his command ship, this wound would not leave a scar. Tenel Ka knew of at least six other scars, three of which were proof of how intimate they had become. But where did not concern as much as how jacen had earned the scars. Every one was a result of vicious, protracted melee combat, aside from a single blaster wound(friendly fire).

?Jacen, I know that the Army would let you free if you wanted to.? she said. Jacen glanced at her. His gaze was cold, but not without some warmth toward her. But his eyes also held a fierce predatory aspect as well, muted, she was sure, but she knew it was there. She knew that it had been the last eyes thousands of human, Rynak and weequey men had seen before Jacen killed them.

?Where would I go?? Jacen asked logically.

?The Jedi. . .? Jacen canted his head.

?My exploits of late would be what they consider the dark side.? Jacen said reasonably. ?And
to be quite frank, I have lost all patience for moral absolutism.? He said.

?Then you could come with me. . .? Tenel Ka offered almost hopefully. Jacen, very faintly smiled.

?I could indeed, but then I would be an advisor to the scion of a throneless Monarchy.? Jacen said. ?A Monarchy with a powerful Navy to be sure, but no Military force to speak of. I would be a frivilous addition.? Jacen said. Tenel Ka sighed.

?I cannot see how your presence changes the effectiveness of the Army.? Tenel Ka said. ?Especially when you have so vehemently rejected the Heroic label attached to you.? she said. Jacen glanced out the viewport.

?What do you see when you look at that planet?? he asked.

?I see a planet, what do you see?? she asked, familiar enough with Jacen?s rhetoric to dull the sting of his enventual point.

?I see a massive grave yard, the people will hear of traitors? last stand.? Jacen said.

?Yes?? Tenel Ka acknowledged.

?Only Thracken was a traitor, those fools actually thought they were helping us. Every one I killed was confused, and felt betrayed.? Jacen said. ?I am beginning to wonder...? Jacen said. Tenel Ka gaped.

?Jacen, you did the right thing. The Defectors were leaking a considerable amount of information to the Vong.? Tenel Ka said. Jacen glanced at her passively.

?And why do you think our leaders are any better than they are?? Jacen said bitterly, his emotions reeked of hurt and betrayal. Tenel Ka blinked, and then saw Jacen?s back as he turned away from her.

?If I leave, the Division will be lead by an idealist, a fool with no true concept of what our leaders truly are, and no will to correct bad political ideals in the military?s arena. I can lead b

 

First off - awesome update...

Next, I have to agree with Jacens thoughts and actions against the traitors. Traitors do have to be stopped, or you will lose. It will be interesting if/when Jacen finally opens up to Tenel Ka. It'll also be interesting when Aeryn moves in with them.

I think its cool that just about everyone new that Jared was Jacens some, but respected TK enough not to say anything. Says alot about their characters that they would do that.

Can't wait for the next update,

TnTornado

 

I think I see where Gary's getting his character from, a lot of this characterization seems to act both like our father and grandfather. Neither have spoken a word about Vietnam and World War II/Korea. I think it has to do with keeping military life and civillian life completely seperate.

This seems to be common for former soldiers, If you remember Band of Brothers, most of those men never told any of their families about World War II and the mini series Band of Brothers was a complete shock to their families.

 

Whoa, I've been away for a while. This was so great...I got to read to long posts in one sitting. Really helps my day.

All I can say is that it's very nice. YOu seem to like to go into the phsycological effects of things like war, and I think you're very good at speaking to readers. You always put your message out there loud and clear. That's a good quality (and talent) for a writer. Keep up the good work!


Janet

 

Valley_Lord: You know what, keep saying things like that and I'll actually tell people you are my brother. I most certainly will not ever tell Darryl about what I saw and did in Afganistan. He's pristine, and I'm not going to be the one to contaminate him. BTW, if you tell him anything you know from me, I'll make you wish you were never born Glenn.

Darkwriter: I went through some of this stuff, I mean, I remember how screwed up everything was in my head. Look he has a gun, shoot him. Hey that boy might have a gun, make sure... that kind of thinking takes a while to go away. First time I saw Glenn after I got home(and he idiotically thought it would be funny to shoot me with a water gun) I subdued him and in the process choked him into unconsciousness...Oops. There's also some guilt(which I know was not my fault, but I still feel it) that I feel, even now there's still that little tinge, maybe if I was still there, someone else wouldn't have to be.

What you say about messages is certainly true. War sucks, we might not want to be heroes, and there are just some parts about service we never want to see or hear of again.

 

Karl almost plowed into Jart. Both boys jumped to the side, entangling Karl into needle bush and Jart into a hip deep mud pit. They stared at another for a second and then roared in laughter at each other. Until they realized their predicaments. That was when the cursing began.

?Come on Jart, its not like its hard to get out of the pit, it wasn?t that deep ? Karl said, already over being stuck with hundreds of needles. Jart cursed a few vile epithets and glared.

?Try it while wearing armor!? he said. Karl blinked.

?Armor?? he repeated incredously. Jart shifted uneasily. Karl realized that Karl?s everyday
attire consisted of a wide, bulky poncho and very wide legged pant. And of course there was
the wide topped had and the hooded cloak the boy wore over it.

?Are you wearing armor under all that?? Karl asked at last. Jart sighed and nodded.

?I?m surprised you never noticed Karl, everyone else did.? Jart said dryly. Karl shrugged.

?Its not like I ever talked with you much before.? Karl said defensively. Jart smirked.

?I suppose.?

?So why the armor?? Karl asked. Jart shrugged and took off the over cloak he always wore. It was similar to the Rancor hide he had seen Tenel Ka, Kirana Ti and the Dathomir girls wear. But similar in the way a tauntann is similar to a Bantha, by being both beasts of burden. It seemed to be made of rancor hide, at least the Torso armor. But the Armor Jart wore was heavily infused with metal, creating a sort of studded Leather Armor. At the shoulder, two large spaulders encased his shoulders, and the upper arm was covered in over lapping metal plates, like oversized, metal snakeskin. The Elbow and Lower arm were covered in a Vambrace with an Elbow protector attached. The Wrist and hand were completely uncovered however. Below the Torso Armor, was a long cloth kilt, itself riddled with metallic plates. Underneath the kilt he was wearing tight pants of some sort, probably for comfort. The last piece of armor was a much more modern looking Military boots with shin guards and a knee cap. This Karl recognized as plasteel, and was actually repainted stormtrooper boots.

?Where?s the helmet?? Karl joked. Jart smirked.

?Helms are worn only in times of war, varience in peace equaits cowardice.? Jart said. Karl frowned.

?How much does that weigh?? he asked. Jart considered.

?Roughly twenty five kilos, but I am used to it, and it is well distributed, and I can even
swim in this.? Jart said. Karl shook his head.

?Man that is hard core, I?ve only worn my CJ once.? All Jedi trainees were trained how to use
and move around in the Combat Jumpsuit, which was merely a skin tight Jumpsuit with shock
armor. Jart shrugged.

?How is Aeryn?? he asked. Most of Karl?s good humor fell off his face.

?She?s still hurt. She?s going to move in with Master Djo and Master Solo for a while. She and
master Solo don?t seem to want to though.? Karl said. Jart considered.

?And yet he agreed to be her guardian.? Jart mused. Karl shrugged.

?Master Djo?s the one whose taking her in really.? Karl said. Jart smirked.

?Aeryn, Master Solo, Master Djo, and the two master?s child in the same apartment.? Jart said.
Karl laughed.

?Aeryn?s going to go nuts.? then Karl blinked.

?You know what? She just might.? Karl said. Jart smirked and then the smile faded.




?You will sleep here.? Tenel Ka told Aeryn. The room was small, large enough for a dresser and
a bed, and perhaps a bookcase. She glanced at Master Djo.

?I know it is not much, but you must stay in the same house as I and Jacen for a month before the adoption is legal.? Tenel Ka explained. Aeryn nodded and dropped her bag of clothing to the floor. Aeryn was surprised to find a hand on her shoulder.

?Please understand Aeryn, both Jacen and I know what it is to live without parents. We are
here for you.? she said. Aeryn frowned. Why would they care?

?I doubt that. Especially Master Solo, he doesn?t even like me.? Tenel Ka shrugged.

?And Jacen despised the people of Coruscant, but he gave his right h

 

Even the doltish boy who refused to tell bad jokes.? Zekk
smiled clearly amused by his own private joke. Everybody's a comic. You're very funny, Zekk.

She sighed. ?I was not aware that Zekk had been telling the students of my folly.? I can just imagine Tenel Ka confronting Zekk and duking it out with him...verbally. Never mess with Tenel Ka.

?Perhaps your sacrifices were not in vain.? she said, watching the two. Awwww, beautiful last line!

As always, I loved Jart and Karl. Really, really nice job. Can't wait for more!


Janet

 

Great update, nice touch bringing Viqi Sheesh in a different manner.

TnTornado

 

Karl dodged, and dodged again. And still Master Solo landed a blow that could be delicately called vicious. Karl wheezed. And only just barely avoided Master Solo?s backhanded riposte. Karl backed away, gaining some distance. It proved to be a mistake. Jacen closed the gap with insane speed and aggression. And landed another hard blow into Karl?s stomach. This one, was hard enough to shut down Karl?s abdomen. Karl hunched over. And puked. When he was finished. He felt a vise like grip on the back of his neck.

?You have died. At this moment, the blood is pooling throughout your body, your organs will soon fail from lack of sustenance and oxygen.? Jacen said coldly. Karl nodded mutely. Jacen?s hand released Karl?s neck allowing Karl to use his body again. He shut down my nervous system by just squeezing my neck. Karl?s dodge was instinctive, he hadn?t even seen the blow come, but he avoided it nonetheless. Karl glared.

?What was that for?? he yelled. The intense gaze of his master forced him to back off.

?Never... give your enemy an opening. Attack.? Jacen said and then assailed the boy again.

?Never defend, always disarm, always incompacitated, and when necessary, kill.? Jacen said between punches. Then he blurred and reappeared with his hand on Karl?s throat lifting the boy clear off the ground.

?Urk...? Karl gasped trying to breathe. Jacen audibly sighed.

?You are useless. Not even worth my time... You may as well leave, you will never be a Jedi.?
Jacen said. Karl looked hopelessly at him. Jacen met his gaze.

?Quit.? Jacen commanded. Karl?s eyes flared.

?Never.? Karl said. Jacen blinked once.



He was hurt. Nearly a dozen wounds, ranging from long lacerations to deep puncture wounds. He would lose his spleen, Jacen knew. But it would not matter if he was dead. They had fought him to a standstill, and now they were winning.

?You waste your time Jeedai.? The massive Vong said. ?Surrender now, and I promise honorable sacrifice.? the Vong added. Jacen snarled.

?I do not fight for honor.? Jacen said. The Vong charged hacking and hacking at Jacen, forcing him to defend, sapping his strength with every blow. The Vong stopped. And then sneered.

?Look at you, you cannot even stand straight!? The Vong laughed. His compatriots laughed with him. Which was cut short when Jacen?s lightsaber pierced his chest. Jacen and the Vong stood for a moment almost hugging, with Jacen?s lightsaber glowing grotesquely out the Vong?s back. The Commander?s subordinates gasped. Then they growled and encircled them.

?Lay down your blasphemous weapon Jeedai, it is over.? The Subaltern said angrily. Jacen turned a soulless eye on the subaltern.

?It is not over until I am not breathing.? Jacen said and then pushed the Commander?s body. Which was slowly cut through by the lightsaber until it had freed itself. Jacen turned his malevolent eye on the Vong.

?I fight, for the Republic. And so long as it exist so I will fight ? Jacen said and struck twice at two warriors who got too close. The warriors stood, their bodies locked in their posture, even as their heads thudded on the ground. Jacen sneered at the Subaltern, who starred in unnerved shock at him.

?Tell me Subaltern. In how many pieces do you want your remains displayed?? Jacen growled.

?You will not succeed. There are too many of us. We will stop you and you will be delivered to the Warmaster. Alive.? Jacen sneered.

?So long as I draw breath... I fight ? Jacen yelled and attacked.




Jacen shoved the boy midair, and Karl landed on his back. Jacen stared at the boy for a moment, surprised, and . . . pleased at the defiance the boy could still show when completely at Jacen's mercy.

?Never stop, never quit, always fight.? Jacen said. Karl stared. What Jacen said ran contrary to what Master Skywalker preached.

?But Master Skywalker...?

?Master Skywalker is archaic.? Jacen said. ?And he was a sky fairy in any case. You Karl, have no aptitude for flight. You are a warrior, just like me, and just like Tenel Ka. We fig

 

Great update LN,

Its good that Jacens at least making an effort to change. And good that he isn't pushing TK away.

TnTornado

 

People don't change if they do not interact with other people for any length of time. Simple interaction is chaning Jacen, making him soften and be more like he used to be.

 

up

 

Tenel Ka was awesome, but that's nothing to be surprised about. I'm really starting to like Karl.


Janet

 

Jacen at the moment is an emotion based character only just ridding himself of an emotionless shell he's had to wear for years. Tenel Ka is a logic based woman, but has developed her empathy, mainly as a result of being a mother. You will see later that Tenel Ka can be very harsh to those she does not love.

Karl is very hard to not feel pity or generally like. He is absolutely alone, and this story is as much about him finding a home as it is about Heling(for Jacen and for Tenel Ka to a lesser degree) and Loss(Aeryn, other characters later.)

 

Later, Karl laid in one of the couches of the student commons, rubbing salve on some of his bruises as Aeryn quietly quized him on grammar and spelling.

?Do I really need to know what an infinitive clause is?? Karl asked when she asjked a
question he had no clue to respond to. Aeryn considered.

?The knowledge is absolutely useless, but Master Solo will ask you.? she said. Karl frowned,
remembering what the Master had said to him. He glanced at Aeryn.

?Aeryn. . . do you hate me?? he asked. Aeryn blinked and stared at him, surprised by his
question. She pushed some of her brown hair back behind her ear as she tried to find a nuetral
responce.

?No, Though I do not enjoy teaching you to read and write, for that I am annoyed.? she said.

?Do the other students hate me?? he asked. Aeryn frowned.

?Why? You?re just a fool who got in trouble all the time with Master Zekk, if anything you?re
an object of humor rather than distaste.? she said.



As scheduled the Three Dathomiri girls came back after two weeks of vacation. Tenel Ka and
Jart were waiting for them. The girls respectfully greeted their master and then greeted Jart with competitive warmth and familiarity.

?Ziva, Hilda, that is enough.? Tenel Ka admonished, when their ?hugs? had become more on the
order of groping. Elana took the opportunity to give Jart a more measured hug. Jart had
an/amused/aroused/disgusted look on his face. He caught Tenel Ka?s glance, his eyes held
pleading look to them. Tenel Ka felt some sympathy, but she was not going to coddle the boy,
if he did not want their affections then he had to tell them himself.

?Come.? she said and led them toward the temple.





Jacen, Karl and Aeryn were waiting. Jacen sitting in a plush comfortable chair, while
the two teens sat next to another. Jacen observed them for a moment. They clearly had gotten
over their dislike for another, he could tell from the fact that they seem comfortable sitting
so near another. But he did not sense or see any indication that they may have developed
romantic interest in another. Though he could sense Karl?s thoughts lingering slightly on the
girl next to him, but Jacen sensed that it was more driven by hormones by anything else. Aeryn
for her part, seemed comfortably oblivious that she was affecting Karl at all. Karl is a
friend to her. Aeryn is a friend who is also a girl to Karl. Jacen thought. Semantically there wasn?t any difference, but psychologically there was. A friend who is a friend is simple a friend. A friend who is a girl is a friend that may become a girl friend. Jacen thought, inwardly groaning at the cliche he was thinking. He sensed Tenel Ka draw near, with Jart and the two Dathomiri girls and the brat from Tenel Ka?s clan that he could barely stand. Why do I always get the one?s I dislike? Jacen wondered. He glanced at his students. ...But I have grown to accept and like Karl and even Aeryn for who they are, even if they are so flawed.



?Ah Jacen, meet Yoki, he will be heading fourth platoon.? Jacen?s CO told him. Jacen and Yoki met gazes, and instantly hated another.

?Surely you will not let a child lead a platoon.? Yoki said, offended.

?We can?t have a panty-waste like this lead our men ? Jacen exclaimed angrily.? The CO looked between the two and painfully held a hand over his eyes.


?Tell me Karl, how well can you read?? Jacen asked. Karl shrugged.

?I can read.? he said confidently. Jacen nodded noting the pride Karl held at the accomplishment. Aeryn interjected.

?You can do more than that now! You learned how to use math as well.? she reminded him. Jacen?s eyebrows lifted. She's invested herself in this task. Good.

?So in two weeks you mastered both reading and Mathematics?? he asked. Karl shrugged.

?I already knew how to add and subtract.? he said. Jacen nodded.

?Good work Karl.? he said. Karl stiffened in surprise. Jacen almost frowned as Karl?s emotional response was very close to elation. He does not get ver